On this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, we chat with Sara Johnson, a field botanist and research assistant with the Illinois Natural History Survey. Sara studies rare plants, and we discuss her recent thesis on a rare mint found in Florida. We talk about field botany and some good natural areas to go and visit in Illinois. Plus Sara shares some of the unique plants she grows in her own garden including some of the wild (and deadly) tomatoes (Solanum sp.).

2:49 What is Sara's favorite kind of fieldwork?

4:25 What brought you to the world of field botany? What is a field botanist?

8:19 Would many of the plant species you study be considered endangered? Or would they be rare occurrences?

10:20 What’s an example of a rare habitat in Illinois? What would be considered the greatest threat to losing these places?

12:46 What's the difference between a sand prairie and a hill prairie in Illinois?

17:14 Mint species in the garden and natural areas

What goes into rare plant conservation? What can be done to help protect and possibly expand some of these rare habitats?

26:00 The similarities between Florida and Illinois and how that can inform plant identification.

29:37 Let’s talk field guides. Which ones do you always have in your backpack?

35:24 How do you introduce someone who has no experience in your field to what you do?

38:30 Do you know any good places in Central Illinois? Are there any rare habitats we should be on the lookout for in our area?

42:40 Sara has started a fantastic online magazine (zine). What was the inspiration to begin producing this publication?

47:07 What are some unique vegetables that you grow?

Check out Sara's website https://saraannjohnson.wordpress.com/

Download and read her free online magazine Midwest Explorer https://saraannjohnson.wordpress.com/midwest-explorer-blog/

Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/QCfrko7KvpU

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Any products mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion of these products.